[lafolli]

Well I bit the bullet last week and finally quit my job as a secretary... time to get out of this gig. It put me through art school and it pays pretty well but its now time to move on. I figure I'll work as a temp secretary for awhile while trying to drum up some freelance business as well as working on completion of my portfolio. Meanwhile, I'm searching for an entry-level design/illustration or 3d modeling/texturing position.
I wanted to see how many of you here are freelancers ... if so, I'd like to pick your brains a bit on how its all done. I know there are places like Aquent where you can register your portfolio, which I plan to do. What other alternatives are there to bringing in jobs? Also, what kind of rates do you charge, and is it by the hour or by the piece, or what? Any and all advice pertaining to freelancing is appreciated.

[artboy]

Just out of curiosity, why did you decide to quit your job and then build a portfolio? Just wondering...

Anyway, the first thing you need to do is pick up a book called Graphic Artists Guild Handbook of Pricing and Ethical Guidelines. You can get it at most bookstores. This will tell you about legal stuff, forms, contracts, etc. I'm not working freelance yet, but I'm trying to finish school first (one more year!). Good luck!

-Artboy

[Novacaptain]

until some freelance artist comes by and gives out *the facts* my theory is that it'd be a good idea to get hired as an employee at some studio (movie/publicity/game) and make some contacts there. Then go on to being a mercenary hehe.

[smalbrain]

“The Designer’s Commonsense Business Book” by Barbara Ganin is invaluable - it gives you alot of the stuff you need to know inorder to survive - all the managing and pricing and how to advertise yourself stuff - which is sorta ironic since you just left a secretarial position.

[lafolli]

Cool, thanks Artboy! I'll get that book and read it.
Well there are a lot of complexities to the reason why I quit. I guess it all boils down to, I just didnt LIKE working there, for various reasons. No, I didnt just dislike it, I hated it. It was getting to a point where I felt depressed every night because I knew I would have to get up the next day and go to work. When I finally quit, it was because I had kind of an epiphany: What the hell am I doing in a job that makes me feel ill just at the thought of going to it? Anyway, it may not be the most logical reason but I feel very good about it. I don't expect to jump right into a new gig like art, but at least now I'm a free agent.

[lafolli]

Thanks for all the great advice. I am preparing to hit the market with all I'm worth. I just bought the Artists and Graphic Designers' Market 2001, and I'll check out the other books yall recommended.